Muralist A.J. Gomez describes graffiti art as an exercise of patience and persistence.

“It’s a process of shading, re-shading, and shading again,” he said. “I kept painting until I get the result what I want.”

Gomez’s process is now on permanent display at Taco Galacticos, the eatery at Houston Avenue and Ben Maddox Way in northeast Visalia. Gomez painted two murals, broadening his portfolio and creating what he hopes may be a conversation starter for a teachable moment.

“I have done a lot of Golden Age Hollywood movie star murals,” he said. “Marilyn Monroe and James Dean are very popular.”

But for the project at Tacos Galacticos, Gomez painted separate portraits of Emiliano Zapata, the Mexican Revolution leader, and Mario Moreno “Cantinflas,” a Mexican comedian who won the Golden Globe award for his role in the Oscar-winning movie, “Around the World in Eighty Days.”

Zapata led rebel forces in southern Mexico in a fight for agrarian reform.

“He was different. He wasn’t a politician. He fought to give land to the common man,” Gomez said. “There’s no one to compare him to.”

“Cantinflas” is also one of the most prolific Mexican actors, whose early credits include comic adaptations of classics such as “The Three Musketeers” and “Don Quixote.”

“I have seen a few of his movies,” Gomez said. “He was a philanthropist. People have shown a lot of respect.”

While he says he didn’t intend any political message, Gomez painted two iconic figures from modern Mexican history. He said he was also thinking about the restaurant clientele.

“I don’t think we should be ashamed of being Hispanic,” he said. “I wanted to do something that older Hispanics can recognize.”

For these murals, Gomez said he looked up online photos of Zapata and “Cantinflas.” Gomez then painted an outline and, using the shading process, completed the art project.

Zapata is shown wearing a large hat and his face with piercing eyes and a prominent mustache. “Cantinflas” is shown with softer features, wearing a smaller hat and barely-there mustache.

Juan Gonzalez, Tacos Galacticos owner, said he wanted the murals because the eatery was the target of vandalism. The murals may keep vandals away.

“[The murals] are part of our Mexican culture,” Gonzalez said. “I think it’s great to have something painted on the walls.”

Gonzalez said his son spoke with Gomez, who then decided on the subjects.

“I gave him carte blanche,” Gonzalez said.

That’s the kind of projects Gomez likes to work with.

“If there’s an opportunity, I will take advantage of it,” he said.

Gonzalez said he has received good feedback.

“People are coming in and saying how much they like the murals,” he said.

Local artist Erik Gonzalez, the founder of Urbanists, Urban Art Collective, said he is glad murals are replacing locations that had once been targets for gang tagging.

“It’s nice to see the murals go up,” he said. “Instead of vandalism, you see murals.”

Gonzalez, the artist, said murals and portraits are a way to showcase a community.

“It’s direct communication,” he said. “It represents the community.”

Gomez said he is just one of many muralists in the Central Valley, where there are plenty of talented artists.

Gonzalez, the artist, agreed, saying the local art movement is helping decorate cities.

“It’s transforming public places,” he said. “Public art is being accepted. People are more open-minded.”